2。EIGHTO\'CLOCKA。M。
Seatedinhisprivateofficehewettedtheflapofthestolenletter，andwaitedpatientlytilltheadhesivegumcouldbeloosened。HetookoutEdward\'snote，theaccounts，therosebud，andthephotographs，regardingthemwiththekeenestinterestandanxiety。
Thenote，theaccounts，therosebud，andhisownphotograph，herestoredtotheirplacesagain。Theotherphotographhetookbetweenhisfingerandthumb，andheldittowardsthebarsofthegrate。Therehehelditforhalf-a-minuteormore，meditating。
\'Itisagreatrisktorun，evenforsuchanend，\'hemuttered。
Suddenly，impregnatedwithabrightidea，hejumpedupandlefttheofficeforthefrontparlour。Takingupanalbumofportraits，whichlayonthetable，hesearchedforthreeorfourlikenessesoftheladywhohadsolatelydisplacedCytherea，whichwereinterspersedamongtherestofthecollection，andcarefullyregardedthem。Theyweretakenindifferentattitudesandstyles，andhecomparedeachsinglywiththatheheldinhishand。Oneofthem，theonemostresemblingthatabstractedfromtheletteringeneraltone，size，andattitude，heselectedfromtherest，andreturnedwithittohisoffice。
Pouringsomewaterintoaplate，hesetthetwoportraitsafloatuponit，andsittingdowntriedtoread。
Attheendofaquarterofanhour，afterseveralineffectualattempts，hefoundthateachphotographwouldpeelfromthecardonwhichitwasmounted。Thisdone，hethrewintothefiretheoriginallikenessandtherecentcard，stuckupontheoriginalcardtherecentlikenessfromthealbum，drieditbeforethefire，andplaceditintheenvelopewiththeotherscraps。
Theresulthehadobtained，then，wasthis：intheenvelopewerenowtwophotographs，bothhavingthesamephotographer\'snameonthebackandconsecutivenumbersattached。Atthebottomoftheonewhichshowedhisownlikeness，hisownnamewaswrittendown；ontheotherhiswife\'snamewaswritten；whilstthecentralfeature，andwholemattertowhichthislattercardandwritingreferred，thelikenessofaladymounteduponit，hadbeenchanged。
Mrs。Manstonenteredtheroom，andbeggedhimtocometobreakfast。
Hefollowedherandtheysatdown。Duringthemealhetoldherwhathehaddone，withscrupulousregardtoeverydetail，andshowedhertheresult。
\'Itisindeedagreatrisktorun，\'shesaid，sippinghertea。
\'Butitwouldbeagreaternottodoit。\'
\'Yes。\'
Theenvelopewasagainfastenedupasbefore，andManstonputitinhispocketandwentout。Shortlyafterwardshewasseen，onhorseback，ridinginadirectiontowardsTolchurch。Keepingtothefields，aswellashecould，forthegreaterpartoftheway，hedroppedintotheroadbythevicarageletter-box，andlookingcarefullyabout，toascertainthatnopersonwasnear，herestoredthelettertoitsnook，placedthekeyinitshiding-place，ashehadpromisedthepostman，andagainrodehomewardsbyaroundaboutway，3。AFTERNOON
TheletterwasbroughttoOwenGraye，thesameafternoon，byoneofthevicar\'sservantswhohadbeentotheboxwithaduplicatekey，asusual，toleavelettersfortheeveningpost。Themanfoundthattheindexhadtoldfalselythatmorningforthefirsttimewithinhisrecollection；butnoparticularattentionwaspaidtothemistake，asitwasconsidered。ThecontentsoftheenvelopewerescrutinizedbyOwenandflungasideasuseless。
ThenextmorningbroughtSpringrove\'ssecondletter，theexistenceofwhichwasunknowntoManston。ThesightofEdward\'shandwritingagainraisedtheexpectationsofbrotherandsister，tillOwenhadopenedtheenvelopeandpulledoutthetwigandverse。
\'Nothingthat\'softheslightestuse，afterall，\'hesaidtoher；
\'weareasfaraseverfromthemerestshadowoflegalproofthatwouldconvicthimofwhatIammorallycertainhedid，marryyou，suspecting，ifnotknowing，hertobealiveallthetime。\'
\'WhathasEdwardsent？\'saidCytherea。
\'AnoldamatoryverseinManston\'swriting。Fancy，\'hesaidbitterly，\'thisisthestrainheaddressedherinwhentheywerecourting——ashedidyou，Isuppose。\'
Hehandedhertheverseandsheread——
\'EUNICE。
\'WhosoforhoursorlengthydaysShallcatchheraspect\'schangefulrays，Thenturnaway，cannonerecallBeyondagalaxyofallInhazyportraiture；
LitbythelightofazureeyesLikesummerdaysbysummerskies：
HersweettransitionsseemtobeAkindofpicturedmelody，Andnotasetcontour。
\'AE。M。\'
AstrangeexpressionhadoverspreadCytherea\'scountenance。Itrapidlyincreasedtothemostdeath-likeanguish。Sheflungdownthepaper，seizedOwen\'shandtremblingly，andcoveredherface。
\'Cytherea！Whatisit，forHeaven\'ssake？\'
\'Owen——suppose——O，youdon\'tknowwhatIthink。\'
\'What？\'
\'“THELIGHTOFAZUREEYES，“\'sherepeatedwithashylips。
\'Well，“thelightofazureeyes“？\'hesaid，astoundedathermanner。
\'Mrs。MorrissaidinherlettertomethathereyesareBLACK！\'
\'H\'m。Mrs。Morrismusthavemadeamistake——nothinglikelier。\'
\'Shedidn\'t。\'
\'Theymightbeeitherinthisphotograph，\'saidOwen，lookingatthecardbearingMrs。Manston\'sname。
\'Blueeyeswouldscarcelyphotographsodeepintoneasthat，\'saidCytherea。\'No，theyseemblackhere，certainly。\'
\'Well，then，Manstonmusthaveblunderedinwritinghisverses。\'
\'Butcouldhe？Sayamaninlovemayforgethisownname，butnotthatheforgetsthecolourofhismistress\'seyes。Besidesshewouldhaveseenthemistakewhenshereadthem，andhavehaditcorrected。\'
\'That\'strue，shewould，\'musedOwen。\'Then，Cytherea，itcomestothis——youmusthavebeenmisinformedbyMrs。Morris，sincethereisnootheralternative。\'
\'IsupposeImust。\'
Herlooksbeliedherwords。
\'Whatmakesyousostrange——ill？\'saidOwenagain。
\'Ican\'tbelieveMrs。Morriswrong。\'
\'Butlookatthis，Cytherea。Ifitiscleartousthatthewomanhadblueeyestwoyearsago，sheMUSThaveblueeyesnow，whateverMrs。Morrisoranybodyelsemayfancy。AnyonewouldthinkthatManstoncouldchangethecolourofawoman\'seyestohearyou。\'
\'Yes，\'shesaid，andpaused。
\'Yousayyes，asifhecould，\'saidOwenimpatiently。
\'Bychangingthewomanherself，\'sheexclaimed。\'Owen，don\'tyouseethehorrid——whatIdread？——thatthewomanheliveswithisnotMrs。Manston——thatshewasburntafterall——andthatIamHISWIFE！\'
Shetriedtosupportastoicismundertheweightofthisnewtrouble，butno！Theunexpectedrevulsionofideaswassooverwhelmingthatshecrepttohimandleantagainsthisbreast。
BeforereflectinganyfurtheruponthesubjectGrayeledherupstairsandgothertoliedown。Thenhewenttothewindowandstaredoutofitupthelane，vainlyendeavouringtocometosomeconclusionuponthefantasticenigmathatconfrontedhim。
Cytherea\'snewviewseemedincredible，yetithadsuchaholduponherthatitwouldbenecessarytoclearitawaybypositiveproofbeforecontemplationofherfearshouldhavepreyedtoodeeplyuponher。
\'Cytherea，\'hesaid，\'thiswillnotdo。YoumuststayherealonealltheafternoonwhilstIgotoCarriford。IshallknowallwhenI
return。\'
\'No，no，don\'tgo！\'sheimplored。
\'Soon，then，notdirectly。\'Hesawhersubtlereasoning——thatitwasfollytobewise。
Reflectionstillconvincedhimthatgoodwouldcomeofperseveringinhisintentionanddispellinghissister\'sidlefears。Anythingwasbetterthanthisabsurddoubtinhermind。ButheresolvedtowaittillSunday，thefirstdayonwhichhemightreckonuponseeingMrs。Manstonwithoutsuspicion。InthemeantimehewrotetoEdwardSpringrove，requestinghimtogoagaintoMrs。Manston\'sformerlodgings。
XVIII。THEEVENTSOFTHREEDAYS
1。MARCHTHEEIGHTEENTH
Sundaymorninghadcome，andOwenwastrudgingoverthesixmilesofhillanddalethatlaybetweenTolchurchandCarriford。
EdwardSpringrove\'sanswertothelastletter，afterexpressinghisamazementatthestrangecontradictionbetweentheversesandMrs。
Morris\'sletter，hadbeentotheeffectthathehadagainvisitedtheneighbourofthedeadMr。Brown，andhadreceivedasnearadescriptionofMrs。Manstonasitwaspossibletogetatsecond-
hand，andbyhearsay。Shewasatallwoman，wideattheshoulders，andfull-chested，andshehadastraightandratherlargenose。Thecolourofhereyestheinformantdidnotknow，forshehadonlyseentheladyinthestreetasshewentinorout。Thisconfusingremarkwasadded。ThewomanhadalmostrecognizedMrs。Manstonwhenshehadcalledwithherhusbandlately，butshehadkeptherveildown。
Herresidence，beforeshecametoHoxton，wasquiteunknowntothisnext-doorneighbour，andEdwardcouldgetnomannerofcluetoitfromanyothersource。
Owenreachedthechurch-doorafewminutesbeforethebellsbeganchiming。Nobodywasyetinthechurch，andhewalkedroundtheaisles。FromCytherea\'sfrequentdescriptionofhowandwhereherselfandothersusedtosit，heknewwheretolookforManston\'sseat；andaftertwoorthreeerrorsofexaminationhetookupaprayer-bookinwhichwaswritten\'EuniceManston。\'Thebookwasnearlynew，andthedateofthewritingaboutamonthearlier。Onepointwasatanyrateestablished：thatthewomanlivingwithManstonwaspresentedtotheworldasnootherthanhislawfulwife。
ThequietvillagersofCarrifordrequirednopew-openerintheirplaceofworship：nativesandin-dwellershadtheirownseats，andstrangerssatwheretheycould。Grayetookaseatinthenave，onthenorthside，closebehindapillardividingitfromthenorthaisle，whichwascompletelyallottedtoMissAldclyffe，herfarmers，andherretainers，Manston\'spewbeinginthemidstofthem。Owen\'spositionontheothersideofthepassagewasalittleinadvanceofManston\'sseat，andsosituatedthatbyleaningforwardhecouldlookdirectlyintothefaceofanypersonsittingthere，though，ifhesatupright，hewaswhollyhiddenfromsuchaonebytheinterveningpillar。
AimingtokeephispresenceunknowntoManstonifpossible，Owensat，withoutonceturninghishead，duringtheentranceofthecongregation。ArustlingofsilkroundbythenorthpassageandintoManston\'sseat，toldhimthatsomewomanhadenteredthere，andasitseemedfromtheaccompanimentofheavierfootsteps，Manstonwaswithher。
Immediatelyuponrisingup，helookedintentlyinthatdirection，andsawaladystandingattheendoftheseatnearesthimself。
PortionsofManston\'sfigureappearedontheothersideofher。IntwoglancesGrayereadthusmanyofhercharacteristics，andinthefollowingorder：——
Shewasatallwoman。
Shewasbroadattheshoulders。
Shewasfull-bosomed。
Shewaseasilyrecognizablefromthephotographbutnothingcouldbediscernedofthecolourofhereyes。
Withapreoccupiedmindhewithdrewintohisnook，andheardtheservicecontinued——onlyconsciousofthefactthatinoppositiontothesuspicionwhichoneoddcircumstancehadbredinhissisterconcerningthiswoman，allostensibleandordinaryproofsandprobabilitiestendedtotheoppositeconclusion。Theresatthegenuineoriginaloftheportrait——couldhewishformore？Cythereawishedformore。EuniceManston\'seyeswereblue，anditwasnecessarythatthiswoman\'seyesshouldbebluealso。
Unskilledlabourwastesinbeatingagainstthebarstentimestheenergyexertedbythepractisedhandintheeffectivedirection。
OwenfeltthistobethecaseinhisownandEdward\'sattemptstofollowuptheclueaffordedthem。Thinkashemight，hecouldnotthinkofacrucialtestinthematterabsorbinghim，whichshouldpossesstheindispensableattribute——acapabilityofbeingappliedprivately；thatintheeventofitsprovingtheladytobetherightfulownerofthenamesheused，hemightrecedewithoutobloquyfromanuntenableposition。
ButtoseeMrs。Manston\'seyesfromwherehesatwasimpossible，andhecoulddonothingintheshapeofadirectexaminationatpresent。
MissAldclyffehadpossiblyrecognizedhim，butManstonhadnot，andfeelingthatitwasindispensabletokeepthepurportofhisvisitasecretfromthesteward，hethoughtitwouldbeaswell，too，tokeephispresenceinthevillageasecretfromhim；atanyrate，tillthedaywasover。
Atthefirstopeningofthedoors，Grayeleftthechurchandwanderedawayintothefieldstoponderonanotherscheme。HecouldnotcallonFarmerSpringrove，ashehadintended，untilthismatterwassetatrest。Twohoursintervenedbetweenthemorningandafternoonservices。
ThistimehadnearlyexpiredbeforeOwenhadstruckoutanymethodofproceeding，orcoulddecidetoruntheriskofcallingattheOldHouseandaskingtoseeMrs。Manstonpoint-blank。Buthehaddrawnneartheplace，andwasstandingstillinthepublicpath，fromwhichapartialviewofthefrontofthebuildingcouldbeobtained，whenthebellsbeganchimingforafternoonservice。WhilstGrayepaused，twopersonscamefromthefrontdoorofthehalf-hiddendwellingwhomhepresentlysawtobeManstonandhiswife。Manstonwaswearinghisoldgarden-hat，andcarriedoneofthemonthlymagazinesunderhisarm。Immediatelytheyhadpassedthegatewayhebranchedoffandwentoverthehillinadirectionawayfromthechurch，evidentlyintendingtoramblealong，andreadasthehumourmovedhim。Theladymeanwhileturnedintheotherdirection，andwentintothechurchpath。
Owenresolvedtomakesomethingofthisopportunity。Hehurriedalongtowardsthechurch，doubledroundasharpangle，andcamebackupontheotherpath，bywhichMrs。Manstonmustarrive。
Inaboutthreeminutessheappearedinsightwithoutaveil。Hediscovered，asshedrewnearer，adifficultywhichhadnotstruckhimatfirst——thatitisnotaneasymattertoparticularizethecolourofastranger\'seyesinamerelycasualencounteronapathoutofdoors。ThatMrs。Manstonmustbebroughtclosetohim，andnotonlyso，buttolookcloselyathim，ifhispurposeweretobeaccomplished。
Heshapedaplan。Itmightbychancebeeffectual；ifotherwise，itwouldnotrevealhisintentiontoher。WhenMrs。Manstonwaswithinspeakingdistance，hewentuptoherandsaid——
\'WillyoukindlytellmewhichturningwilltakemetoCasterbridge？\'
\'Thesecondontheright，\'saidMrs。Manston。
Owenputonablanklook：heheldhishandtohisear——conveyingtotheladytheideathathewasdeaf。
Shecamecloserandsaidmoredistinctly——
\'Thesecondturningontheright。\'
Owenflushedalittle。Hefanciedhehadbeheldtherevelationhewasinsearchof。Buthadhiseyesdeceivedhim？
Oncemoreheusedtheruse，stilldrawingnearerandintimatingbyaglancethatthetroublehegaveherwasverydistressingtohim。
\'Howverydeaf！\'shemurmured。Sheexclaimedloudly——
\'THESECONDTURNINGTOTHERIGHT。\'
Shehadadvancedherfacetowithinafootofhisown，andinspeakingmouthedveryemphatically，fixinghereyesintentlyuponhis。Andnowhisfirstsuspicionwasindubitablyconfirmed。Hereyeswereasblackasmidnight。
AllthisfeigningwasmostdistastefultoGraye。Theriddlehavingbeensolved，heunconsciouslyassumedhisnaturallookbeforeshehadwithdrawnherface。Shefoundhimtobepeeringatherasifhewouldreadherverysoul——expressingwithhiseyesthenotificationofwhich，apartfromemotion，theeyesaremorecapablethananyother——inquiry。
Herfacechangeditsexpression——thenitscolour。Thenaturaltintofthelighterportionssanktoanashygray；thepinkofhercheeksgrewpurpler。Itwasthepreciseresultwhichwouldremainafterbloodhadleftthefaceofonewhoseskinwasdark，andartificiallycoatedwithpearl-powderandcarmine。
Sheturnedherheadandmovedaway，murmuringahastyreplytoOwen\'sfarewellremarkof\'Good-day，\'andwithakindofnervoustwitchliftingherhandandsmoothingherhair，whichwasofalight-browncolour。
\'Shewearsfalsehair，\'hethought，\'orhaschangeditscolourartificially。Hertruehairmatchedhereyes。\'
Andnow，inspiteofwhatMr。Brown\'sneighbourshadsaidaboutnearlyrecognizingMrs。Manstononherrecentvisit——whichmighthavemeantanythingornothing；inspiteofthephotograph，andinspiteofhispreviousincredulity；inconsequenceoftheverse，ofhersilenceandbackwardnessatthevisittoHoxtonwithManston，andofherappearanceanddistressatthepresentmoment，Grayehadaconvictionthatthewomanwasanimpostor。
WhatcouldbeManston\'sreasonforsuchanastoundingtrickhecouldbynostretchofimaginationdivine。
Hechangedhisdirectionassoonasthewomanwasoutofsight，andploddedalongthelaneshomewardtoTolchurch。
OnenewideawassuggestedtohimbyhisdesiretoallayCytherea\'sdreadofbeingclaimed，andbythedifficultyofbelievingthatthefirstMrs。Manstonlostherlifeassupposed，notwithstandingtheinquestandverdict。WasitpossiblethattherealMrs。Manston，whowasknowntobeaPhiladelphianbybirth，hadreturnedbythetraintoLondon，astheporterhadsaid，andthenleftthecountryunderanassumedname，toescapethatworstkindofwidowhood——themiseryofbeingweddedtoafickle，faithless，andtruanthusband？
Inhercomplicateddistressatthenewsbroughtbyherbrother，Cytherea\'sthoughtsatlengthrevertedtoherfriend，theRectorofCarriford。ShetoldOwenofMr。Raunham\'swarm-heartedbehaviourtowardsherself，andofhisstronglyexpressedwishtoaidher。
\'Heisnotonlyagood，butasensibleman。Weseemtowantanoldheadonourside。\'
\'Andheisamagistrate，\'saidOweninatoneofconcurrence。Hethought，too，thatnoharmcouldcomeofconfidingintherector，buttherewasadifficultyinbringingabouttheconfidence。HewishedthathissisterandhimselfmightbothbepresentataninterviewwithMr。Raunham，yetitwouldbeunwiseforthemtocallonhimtogether，inthesightofalltheservantsandparishofCarriford。
Therecouldbenoobjectiontotheirwritinghimaletter。
Nosoonerwasthethoughtbornthanitwascarriedout。Theywrotetohimatonce，askinghimtohavethegoodnesstogivethemsomeadvicetheysadlyneeded，andbeggingthathewouldaccepttheirassurancethattherewasarealjustificationfortheadditionalrequesttheymade——thatinsteadoftheircallinguponhim，hewouldanyeveningoftheweekcometotheircottageatTolchurch。
2。MARCHTHETWENTIETH。SIXTONINEO\'CLOCKP。M。
Twoeveningslater，tothetotaldisarrangementofhisdinner-hour，Mr。RaunhamappearedatOwen\'sdoor。Hisarrivalwashailedwithgenuinegratitude。Thehorsewastiedtothepalings，andtherectorusheredindoorsandputintotheeasy-chair。
ThenGrayetoldhimthewholestory，remindinghimthattheirfirstsuspicionshadbeenofatotallydifferentnature，andthatinendeavouringtoobtainproofoftheirtruththeyhadstumbleduponmarkswhichhadsurprisedthemintothesenewuncertainties，thriceasmarvellousasthefirst，yetmoreprominent。
Cytherea\'sheartwassofullofanxietythatitsuperinducedamannerofconfidencewhichwasadeath-blowtoallformality。Mr。
Raunhamtookherhandpityingly。
\'Itisaseriouscharge，\'hesaid，asasortoforiginaltwigonwhichhisthoughtsmightprecipitatethemselves。
\'Assumingforamomentthatsuchasubstitutionwasrenderedaneasymatterbyfortuitousevents，\'hecontinued，\'thereisthisconsiderationtobeplacedbesideit——whatearthlymotivecanMr。
Manstonhavehadwhichwouldbesufficientlypowerfultoleadhimtorunsuchaverygreatrisk？Themostabandonedrouecouldnot，atthatparticularcrisis，havetakensucharecklessstepforthemerepleasureofanewcompanion。\'
Owenhadseenthatdifficultyaboutthemotive；Cythereahadnot。
\'Unfortunatelyforus，\'therectorresumed，\'nomoreevidenceistobeobtainedfromtheporter，Chinney。Isupposeyouknowwhatbecameofhim？HegottoLiverpoolandembarked，intendingtoworkhiswaytoAmerica，butonthepassagehefelloverboardandwasdrowned。Butthereisnodoubtofthetruthofhisconfession——infact，hisconducttendstoproveittrue——andnomoraldoubtofthefactthattherealMrs。Manstonleftheretogobackbythatmorning\'strain。Thisbeingthecase，then，why，ifthiswomanisnotshe，didshetakenonoticeoftheadvertisement——Imeannotnecessarilyafriendlynotice，butfromtheinformationitaffordedherhaverendereditimpossiblethatsheshouldbepersonifiedwithoutherownconnivance？\'
\'Ithinkthatargumentisoverthrown，\'Grayesaid，\'bymyearliestassumptionofherhatredofhim，wearinessofthechainwhichboundhertohim，andaresolvetobegintheworldanew。Let\'ssupposeshehasmarriedanotherman——somewhereabroad，say；shewouldbesilentforherownsake。\'
\'You\'vehittheonlygenuinepossibility，\'saidMr。Raunham，tappinghisfingeruponhisknee。\'Thatwoulddecidedlydisposeoftheseconddifficulty。Buthismotivewouldbeasmysteriousasever。\'
Cytherea\'spictureddreadswouldnotallowhermindtofollowtheirconversation。\'She\'sburnt，\'shesaid。\'Oyes；Ifear——Ifearsheis！\'
\'Idon\'tthinkwecanseriouslybelievethatnow，afterwhathashappened，\'saidtherector。
Stillstrainingherthoughttowardstheworst，\'Then，perhaps，thefirstMrs。Manstonwasnothiswife，\'shereturned；\'andthenI
shouldbehiswifejustthesame，shouldn\'tI？\'
\'Theyweremarriedsafelyenough，\'saidOwen。\'Thereisabundanceofcircumstantialevidencetoprovethat。\'
\'Uponthewhole，\'saidMr。Raunham，\'Ishouldadviseyouraskinginastraightforwardwayforlegalprooffromthestewardthatthepresentwomanisreallyhisoriginalwife——athingwhich，tomymind，youshouldhavedoneattheoutset。\'HeturnedtoCythereakindly，andaskedherwhatmadehergiveupherhusbandsounceremoniously。
ShecouldnottelltherectorofheraversiontoManston，andofherunquenchedloveforEdward。
\'Yourterrifiedstatenodoubt，\'hesaid，answeringforher，inthemannerofthoseaccustomedtothepulpit。\'Butintosuchasolemncompactasmarriage，all-importantconsiderations，bothlegallyandmorally，enter；itwasyourdutytohaveseeneverythingclearlyproved。DoubtlessMr。Manstonispreparedwithproofs，butasitconcernsnobodybutyourselfthatheridentityshouldbepubliclyestablished(andbyyourabsenteeismyouactasifyouweresatisfied)hehasnottroubledtoexhibitthem。Nobodyelsehastakenthetroubletoprovewhatdoesnotaffectthemintheleast——
that\'sthewayoftheworldalways。You，whoshouldhaverequiredallthingstobemadeclear，ranaway。\'
\'Thatwaspartlymydoing，\'saidOwen。
Thesameexplanation——herwantofloveforManston——appliedheretoo，butsheshunnedtherevelation。
\'Butnevermind，\'addedtherector，\'itwasallthegreatercredittoyourwomanhood，perhaps。Isay，then，getyourbrothertowritealinetoMr。Manston，sayingyouwishtobesatisfiedthatallislegallyclear(incaseyoushouldwanttomarryagain，forinstance)，andIhavenodoubtthatyouwillbe。Or，ifyouwouldrather，I\'llwritemyself？\'
\'Ono，sir，no，\'pleadedCytherea，beginningtoblanch，andbreathingquickly。\'Pleasedon\'tsayanything。LetmeliveherewithOwen。IamsoafraiditwillturnoutthatIshallhavetogotoKnapwaterandbehiswife，andIdon\'twanttogo。Doconcealwhatwehavetoldyou。Lethimcontinuehisdeception——itismuchthebestforme。\'
Mr。RaunhamatlengthdivinedthatherloveforManston，ifithadeverexisted，hadtransmuteditselfintoaverydifferentfeelingnow。
\'Atanyrate，\'hesaid，ashetookhisleaveandmountedhismare，\'Iwillseeaboutit。Restcontent，MissGraye，anddependuponitthatIwillnotleadyouintodifficulty。\'
\'Concealit，\'shestillpleaded。
\'We\'llsee——butofcourseImustdomyduty。\'
\'No——don\'tdoyourduty！\'Shelookedupathimthroughthegloom，illuminatingherownfaceandeyeswiththecandlesheheld。
\'Iwillconsider，then，\'saidMr。Raunham，sensiblymoved。Heturnedhishorse\'shead，badethemawarmadieu，andleftthedoor。
TherectorofCarrifordtrottedhomewardsunderthecoldandclearMarchsky，itscountlessstarsflutteringlikebrightbirds。Hewasunconsciousofthescene。RecoveringfromtheeffectofCytherea\'svoiceandglanceofentreaty，helaidthesubjectoftheinterviewclearlybeforehimself。
ThesuspicionsofCythereaandOwenwerehonest，andhadfoundation——
thathemustown。Washe——aclergyman，magistrate，andconscientiousman——justifiedinyieldingtoCytherea\'simportunitiestokeepsilence，becauseshedreadedthepossibilityofareturntoManston？Wasshewiseinherrequest？Holdingherpresentbelief，andwithnodefiniteevidenceeitherway，shecould，foronething，neverconscientiouslymarryanyoneelse。SupposethatCythereawereManston\'swife——i。e。，thatthefirstwifewasreallyburnt？
TheadulteryofManstonwouldbeproved，and，Mr。Raunhamthought，crueltysufficienttobringthecasewithinthemeaningofthestatute。Supposethenewwomanwas，asstated，Mr。Manston\'srestoredwife？Cythereawasperfectlysafeasasinglewomanwhosemarriagehadbeenvoid。Andifitturnedoutthat，thoughthiswomanwasnotManston\'swife，hiswifewasstillliving，asOwenhadsuggested，inAmericaorelsewhere，Cythereawassafe。
Thefirstsuppositionopeneduptheworstcontingency。WasshereallysafeasManston\'swife？Doubtful。But，howeverthatmightbe，thegentle，defencelessgirl，whomitseemednobody\'sbusinesstohelpordefend，shouldbeputinatracktoproceedagainstthisman。Shehadbutonelife，andthesuperciliousnesswithwhichalltheworldnowregardedhershouldbecompensatedinsomemeasurebythemanwhosecarelessness——tosethiminthebestlight——hadcausedit。
Mr。Raunhamfeltmoreandmorepositivelythathisdutymustbedone。Aninquirymustbemadeintothematter。Immediatelyonreachinghome，hesatdownandwroteaplainandfriendlylettertoMr。Manston，anddespatcheditatoncetohimbyhand。Thenheflunghimselfbackinhischair，andwentonwithhismeditation。
Wasthereanythinginthesuspicion？Therecouldbenothing，surely。Nothingisdonebyaclevermanwithoutamotive，andwhatconceivablemotivecouldManstonhaveforsuchabnormalconduct？
Corinthianthathemightbe，whohadpreyedonvirginitylikeSt。
George\'sdragon，hewouldneverhavebeenabsurdenoughtoventureonsuchacourseforthepossessionaloneofthewoman——therewasnoreasonforit——shewasinferiortoCythereaineveryrespect，physicalandmental。
Ontheotherhand，itseemedratherodd，whenheanalyzedtheaction，thatawomanwhodeliberatelyhidherselffromherhusbandformorethanatwelvemonthshouldbebroughtbackbyamereadvertisement。Infact，thewholebusinesshadworkedalmosttoosmoothlyandeffectuallyforunpremeditatedsequence。Itwastoomuchliketheindiscriminaterightingofeverythingattheendofanoldplay。Andtherewasthatcuriousbusinessofthekeysandwatch。Herwayofaccountingfortheirbeingleftbehindbyforgetfulnesshadalwaysseemedtohimratherforced。Theonlyunforcedexplanationwasthatsuggestedbythenewspaperwriters——
thatsheleftthembehindonpurposetoblindpeopleastoherescape，amotivewhichwouldhaveclashedwiththepossibilityofherbeingfishedbackbyanadvertisement，asthepresentwomanhadbeen。Again，therewerethetwocharredbones。Heshuffledthebooksandpapersinhisstudy，andwalkedabouttheroom，restlesslymusingonthesamesubject。Theparlour-maidentered。
\'CanyoungMr。SpringrovefromLondonseeyouto-night，sir？\'
\'YoungMr。Springrove？\'saidtherector，surprised。
\'Yes，sir。\'
\'Yes，ofcoursehecanseeme。Tellhimtocomein。\'
Edwardcamesoimpatientlyintotheroom，astoshowthatthefewshortmomentshisannouncementhadoccupiedhadbeenirksometohim。
Hestoodinthedoorwaywiththesameblackbaginhishand，andthesameoldgraycloakonhisshoulders，thathehadwornfifteenmonthsearlierwhenreturningonthenightofthefire。Thisappearanceofhisconveyedatrueimpression；hehadbecomeastagnantman。Buthewasexcitednow。
\'IhavethismomentcomefromLondon，\'hesaid，asthedoorwasclosedbehindhim。
Thepropheticinsight，whichsostrangelyaccompaniescriticalexperiences，promptedMr。Raunham\'sreply。
\'AbouttheGrayesandManston？\'
\'Yes。ThatwomanisnotMrs。Manston。\'
\'Proveit。\'
\'Icanprovethatsheissomebodyelse——thathernameisAnneSeaway。\'
\'Andaretheirsuspicionstrueindeed！\'
\'AndIcandowhat\'smoretothepurposeatpresent。\'
\'SuggestManston\'smotive？\'
\'Onlysuggestit，remember。Butmyassumptionfitssoperfectlywiththefactsthathavebeensecretlyunearthedandconveyedtome，thatIcanhardlyconceiveofanother。\'
TherewasinEdward\'sbearingthatentireunconsciousnessofhimselfwhich，naturaltowildanimals，onlyprevailsinasensitivemanatmomentsofextremeintentness。Therectorsawthathehadnotrivialstorytocommunicate，whateverthestorywas。
\'Sitdown，\'saidMr。Raunham。\'Mymindhasbeenonthestretchalltheeveningtoformtheslightestguessatsuchanobject，andalltonopurpose——entirelytonopurpose。HaveyousaidanythingtoOwenGraye？\'
\'Nothing——nortoanybody。Icouldnottrusttotheeffectalettermighthaveuponyourself，either；theintricacyofthecasebringsmetothisinterview。\'
WhilstSpringrovehadbeenspeakingthetwohadsatdowntogether。
Theconversation，hithertodistincttoeverycorneroftheroom，wascarriedonnowintonessolowastobescarcelyaudibletotheinterlocutors，andinphraseswhichhesitatedtocompletethemselves。Three-quartersofanhourpassed。ThenEdwardarose，cameoutoftherector\'sstudyandagainflunghiscloakaroundhim。
Insteadofgoingthencehomeward，hewentfirsttotheCarrifordRoadStationwithatelegram，havingdespatchedwhichheproceededtohisfather\'shouseforthefirsttimesincehisarrivalinthevillage。
3。FROMNINETOTENO\'CLOCKP。M。
ThenextpresentationistheinterioroftheOldHouseontheeveningoftheprecedingsection。Thestewardwassittingbyhisparlourfire，andhadbeenreadingtheletterarrivedfromtherectory。OppositetohimsatthewomanknowntothevillageandneighbourhoodasMrs。Manston。
\'Thingsarelookingdesperatewithus，\'hesaidgloomily。Hisgloomwasnotthatofthehypochondriac，butthelegitimategloomwhichhasitsorigininasyllogism。Asheutteredthewordshehandedthelettertoher。
\'Ialmostexpectedsomesuchnewsasthis，\'shereplied，inatoneofmuchgreaterindifference。\'Iknewsuspicionlurkedintheeyesofthatyoungmanwhostaredatmesointhechurchpath：Icouldhaveswornit。\'
Manstondidnotanswerforsometime。Hisfacewaswornandhaggard；latterlyhisheadhadnotbeencarriedsouprightlyasofold。\'Iftheyproveyoutobe——whoyouare……Yes，iftheydo，\'hemurmured。
\'Theymustnotfindthatout，\'shesaid，inapositivevoice，andlookingathim。\'Butsupposingtheydo，thetrickdoesnotseemtometobesoseriousastojustifythatwretched，miserable，horriblelookofyours。Itmakesmyfleshcreep；itisperfectlydeathlike。\'
Hedidnotreply，andshecontinued，\'IftheysayandprovethatEuniceisindeedliving——anddear，youknowsheis——sheissuretocomeback。\'
Thisremarkseemedtoawakenandirritatehimtospeech。Again，ashehaddoneahundredtimesduringtheirresidencetogether，hecategorizedtheeventsconnectedwiththefireattheThreeTranters。Hedweltoneveryincidentofthatnight\'shistory，andendeavoured，withananxietywhichwasextraordinaryintheapparentcircumstances，toprovethathiswifemust，bytheverynatureofthings，haveperishedintheflames。Shearosefromherseat，crossedthehearthrug，andsetherselftosoothehim；thenshewhisperedthatshewasstillasunbelievingasever。\'Come，supposingsheescaped——justsupposingsheescaped——whereisshe？\'
coaxedthelady。
\'Whyareyousocuriouscontinually？\'saidManston。
\'BecauseIamawomanandwanttoknow。Nowwhereisshe？\'
\'IntheFlyingIsleofSanBorandan。\'
\'Wittycrueltyisthecruellestofany。Ah，well——ifsheisinEngland，shewillcomeback。\'
\'SheisnotinEngland。\'
\'Butshewillcomeback？\'
\'No，shewon\'t……Come，madam，\'hesaid，arousinghimself，\'I
shallnotansweranymorequestions。\'
\'Ah——ah——ah——sheisnotdead，\'thewomanmurmuredagainpoutingly。
\'Sheis，Itellyou。\'
\'Idon\'tthinkso，love。\'
\'Shewasburnt，Itellyou！\'heexclaimed。
\'Nowtopleaseme，admitthebarepossibilityofherbeingalive——
justthepossibility。\'
\'Oyes——topleaseyouIwilladmitthat，\'hesaidquickly。\'Yes，I
admitthepossibilityofherbeingalive，topleaseyou。\'
Shelookedathiminutterperplexity。Thewordscouldonlyhavebeensaidinjest，andyettheyseemedtosavourofatonethefurthestremovefromjesting。Therewashisfaceplaintohereyes，butnoinformationofanykindwastobereadthere。
\'ItisonlynaturalthatIshouldbecurious，\'shemurmuredpettishly，\'ifIresembleherasmuchasyousayIdo。\'
\'Youarehandsomer，\'hesaid，\'thoughyouareaboutherownheightandsize。Butdon\'tworryyourself。Youmustknowthatyouarebodyandsoulunitedwithme，thoughyouarebutmyhousekeeper。\'
Shebridledalittleattheremark。\'Wife，\'shesaid，\'mostcertainlywife，sinceyoucannotdismissmewithoutlosingyourcharacterandposition，andincurringheavypenalties。\'
\'Iownit——itwaswellsaid，thoughmistakenly——verymistakenly。\'
\'Don\'triddletomeaboutmistakenlyandsuchdarkthings。Nowwhatwasyourmotive，dearest，inrunningtheriskofhavingmehere？\'
\'Yourbeauty，\'hesaid。
\'Shethanksyoumuchforthecompliment，butwillnottakeit。
Come，whatwasyourmotive？\'
\'Yourwit。\'
\'No，no；notmywit。WitwouldhavemadeawifeofmebythistimeinsteadofwhatIam。\'
\'Yourvirtue。\'
\'Orvirtueeither。\'
\'Itellyouitwasyourbeauty——really。\'
\'ButIcannothelpseeingandhearing，andifwhatpeoplesayistrue，Iamnotnearlysogood-lookingasCytherea，andseveralyearsolder。\'
TheaspectofManston\'sfaceatthesewordsfromherwassoconfirmatoryofherhint，thathisforcedreplyof\'Ono，\'tendedtodevelopherchagrin。
\'Merelikingorloveforme，\'sheresumed，\'wouldnothavesprungupallofasudden，asyourpretendedpassiondid。YouhadbeentoLondonseveraltimesbetweenthetimeofthefireandyourmarriagewithCytherea——youhadnevervisitedmeorthoughtofmyexistenceorcaredthatIwasoutofasituationandpoor。Buttheweekafteryoumarriedherandwereseparatedfromher，offyourushtomakelovetome——notfirsttomeeither，foryouwenttoseveralplaces——
\'
\'No，notseveralplaces。\'
\'Yes，youtoldmesoyourself——thatyouwentfirsttotheonlylodginginwhichyourwifehadbeenknownasMrs。Manston，andwhenyoufoundthatthelodging-house-keeperhadgoneawayanddied，andthatnobodyelseinthestreethadanydefiniteideasastoyourwife\'spersonalappearance，andcameandproposedthearrangementwecarriedout——thatIshouldpersonateher。Yourtakingallthistroubleshowsthatsomethingmoreseriousthanlovehadtodowiththematter。\'
\'Humbug——whattroubleafteralldidItake？WhenIfoundCythereawouldnotstaywithmeaftertheweddingIwasmuchputoutatbeingleftaloneagain。Wasthatunnatural？\'
\'No。\'
\'Andthosefavouringaccidentsyoumention——thatnobodyknewmyfirstwife——seemedanarrangementofProvidenceforourmutualbenefit，andmerelyperfectedahalf-formedimpulse——thatIshouldcallyoumyfirstwifetoescapethescandalthatwouldhavearisenifyouhadcomehereasanythingelse。\'
\'Mylove，thatstorywon\'tdo。IfMrs。Manstonwasburnt，Cytherea，whomyoulovebetterthanme，couldhavebeencompelledtolivewithyouasyourlawfulwife。Ifshewasnotburnt，whyshouldyouruntheriskofherturningupagainatanymomentandexposingyoursubstitutionofme，andruiningyournameandprospects？\'
\'Why——becauseImighthavelovedyouwellenoughtoruntherisk(assuminghernottobeburnt，whichIdeny)。\'
\'No——youwouldhaveruntherisktheotherway。YouwouldratherhaveriskedherfindingyouwithCythereaasasecondwife，thanwithmeasapersonatorofherself——thefirstone。\'
\'Youcameeasiesttohand——rememberthat。\'
\'Notsoveryeasyeither，consideringthelabouryoutooktoteachmeyourfirstwife\'shistory。AllabouthowshewasanativeofPhiladelphia。Thenmakingmereaduptheguide-booktoPhiladelphia，anddetailsofAmericanlifeandmanners，incasethebirthplaceandhistoryofyourwife，Eunice，shouldeverbecomeknowninthisneighbourhood——unlikelyasitwas。Ah！andthenaboutthehandwritingofhersthatIhadtoimitate，andthedyingmyhair，androuging，tomakethetransformationcomplete？YoumeantosaythatthatwastakinglesstroublethantherewouldhavebeeninarrangingeventstomakeCythereabelieveherselfyourwife，andlivewithyou？\'
\'Youwereaneedyadventuress，whowoulddareanythingforanewpleasureandaneasylife——andIwasfoolenoughtogiveintoyou——
\'
\'Goodheavensabove！——didIaskyoutoinsertthoseadvertisementsforyouroldwife，andtomakemeansweritasifIwasshe？DidI
askyoutosendmetheletterformetocopyandsendbacktoyouwhenthethirdadvertisementappeared——purportingtocomefromthelong-lostwife，andgivingadetailedhistoryofherescapeandsubsequentlife——allwhichyouhadinventedyourself？Youdeludedmeintolovingyou，andthenenticedmehere！Ah，andthisisanotherthing。Howdidyouknowtherealwifewouldn\'tanswerit，andupsetallyourplans？\'
\'BecauseIknewshewasburnt。\'
\'Whydidn\'tyouforceCythereatocomeback，then？Now，mylove，I
havecaughtyou，andyoumayjustaswelltellfirstaslast，WHAT
WASYOURMOTIVEINHAVINGMEHEREASYOURFIRSTWIFE？\'
\'Silence！\'heexclaimed。
Shewassilentforthespaceoftwominutes，andthenpersistedingoingontomutter，\'AndwhywasitthatMissAldclyffeallowedherfavouriteyounglady，Cythie，tobeoverthrownandsupplantedwithoutanexpostulationoranyshowofsympathy？DoyouknowI
oftenthinkyouexerciseasecretpoweroverMissAldclyffe。AndshealwaysshunsmeasifIsharedthepower。Apoor，ill-usedcreaturelikemesharingpower，indeed！\'
\'ShethinksyouareMrs。Manston。\'
\'Thatwouldn\'tmakeheravoidme。\'
\'Yesitwould，\'heexclaimedimpatiently。\'IwishIwasdead——
dead！\'Hehadjumpedupfromhisseatinutteringthewords，andnowwalkedwearilytotheendoftheroom。Comingbackmoredecisively，helookedinherface。
\'WemustleavethisplaceifRaunhamsuspectswhatIthinkhedoes，\'
hesaid。\'TherequestofCythereaandherbrothermaysimplybeforasatisfactoryproof，tomakeherfeellegallyfree——butitmaymeanmore。\'
\'Whatmayitmean？\'
\'HowshouldIknow？\'
\'Well，well，nevermind，oldboy，\'shesaid，approachinghimtomakeupthequarrel。\'Don\'tbesoalarmed——anybodywouldthinkthatyouwerethewomanandItheman。SupposetheydofindoutwhatIam——
wecangoawayfromhereandkeephouseasusual。Peoplewillsayofyou，“Hisfirstwifewasburnttodeath“(or“ranawaytotheColonies，“asthecasemaybe)；“Hemarriedasecond，anddesertedherforAnneSeaway。“Averyeverydaycase——nothingsohorrible，afterall。\'
Hemadeanimpatientmovement。\'Whicheverwaywedoit，NOBODYMUST
KNOWTHATYOUARENOTMYWIFEEUNICE。AndnowImustthinkaboutarrangingmatters。\'
Manstonthenretiredtohisoffice，andshuthimselfupfortheremainderoftheevening。
XIX。THEEVENTSOFADAYANDNIGHT
1。MARCHTHETWENTY-FIRST。MORNING
Nextmorningthestewardwentoutasusual。Heshortlytoldhiscompanion，Anne，thathehadalmostmaturedtheirscheme，andthattheywouldenteruponthedetailsofitwhenhecamehomeatnight。
Thefortunatefactthattherector\'sletterdidnotrequireanimmediateanswerwouldgivehimtimetoconsider。
AnneSeawaythenbeganherdutiesinthehouse。Besidesdailysuperintendingthecookandhousemaidoneofthesedutieswas，atrareintervals，todustManston\'sofficewithherownhands，aservantbeingsupposedtodisturbthebooksandpapersunnecessarily。Shesoftlywanderedfromtabletoshelfwiththedusterinherhand，afterwardsstandinginthemiddleoftheroom，andglancingaroundtodiscoverifanynoteworthycollectionofdusthadstillescapedher。
Hereyefelluponafaintlayerwhichrestedupontheledgeofanold-fashionedchestnutcabinetofFrenchRenaissanceworkmanship，placedinarecessbythefireplace。Ataheightofaboutfourfeetfromthefloortheupperportionofthefrontreceded，formingtheledgealludedto，onwhichopenedateachendtwosmalldoors，thecentrespacebetweenthembeingfilledoutbyapanelofsimilarsize，makingthethirdofthreesquares。Thedustontheledgewasnearlyonalevelwiththewoman\'seye，and，thoughinsignificantinquantity，showeditselfdistinctlyonaccountofthisobliquityofvision。Nowoppositethecentralpanel，concentricquarter-circlesweretracedinthedepositedfilm，expressingtoherthatthispanel，too，wasadoorliketheothers；thatithadlatelybeenopened，andhadskimmedthedustwithitsloweredge。
Atlast，then，hercuriositywasslightlyrewarded。FortherightofthematterwasthatAnnehadbeenincitedtothisexplorationofManston\'sofficeratherbyawishtoknowthereasonofhislongseclusionhere，afterthearrivaloftherector\'sletter，andtheirsubsequentdiscourse，thanbyanyimmediatedesireforcleanliness。
Still，therewouldhavebeennothingremarkabletoAnneinthissightbutforonerecollection。Manstonhadoncecasuallytoldherthateachofthetwoside-lockersincludedhalfthemiddlespace，thepanelofwhichdidnotopen，andwasonlyputinforsymmetry。
Itwaspossiblethathehadopenedthiscompartmentbycandlelighttheprecedingnight，orhewouldhaveseenthemarksinthedust，andeffacedthem，thathemightnotbeprovedguiltyoftellingheranuntruth。Shebalancedherselfononefootandstoodpondering。
Sheconsideredthatitwasveryvexingandunfairinhimtorefuseherallknowledgeofhisremainingsecrets，underthepeculiarcircumstancesofherconnectionwithhim。Shewentclosetothecabinet。Astherewasnokeyhole，thedoormustbecapableofbeingopenedbytheunassistedhand。Thecirclesinthedusttoldheratwhichedgetoapplyherforce。Hereshepulledwiththetipsofherfingers，butthepanelwouldnotcomeforward。Shefetchedachairandlookedoverthetopofthecabinet，butnobolt，knob，orspringwastobeseen。
\'O，nevermind，\'shesaid，withindifference；\'I\'llaskhimaboutit，andhewilltellme。\'Downshecameandturnedaway。Thenlookingbackagainshethoughtitwasabsurdsuchatrifleshouldpuzzleher。Sheretracedhersteps，andopenedadrawerbeneaththeledgeofthecabinet，pushinginherhandandfeelingaboutontheundersideoftheboard。
Hereshefoundasmallroundsinking，andpressedherfingerintoit。Nothingcameofthepressure。Shewithdrewherhandandlookedatthetipofherfinger：itwasmarkedwiththeimpressofthecircle，and，inaddition，alineranacrossitdiametrically。
\'Howstupidofme；itistheheadofascrew。\'Whatevermysteriouscontrivancehadoriginallyexistedforopeningthepunycupboardofthecabinet，ithadatsometimebeenbroken，andthisroughsubstituteprovided。Stimulatedcuriositywouldnotallowhertorecedenow。Shefetchedascrewdriver，withdrewthescrew，pulledthedooropenwithapenknife，andfoundinsideacavityaboutteninchessquare。Thecavitycontained——
Lettersfromdifferentwomen，withunknownsignatures，Christiannamesonly(surnamesbeingdespisedinPaphos)。LettersfromhiswifeEunice。LettersfromAnneherself，includingthatshewroteinanswertohisadvertisement。Asmallpocket-book。Sundryscrapsofpaper。
Thelettersfromthestrangewomenwithpetnamessheglancedcarelesslythrough，andthenputthemaside。Theyweretoosimilartoherownregretteddelusion，andcuriosityrequirescontrasttoexciteit。
Thelettersfromhiswifewerenextexamined。TheyweredatedbackasfarasEunice\'sfirstmeetingwithManston，andtheearlyonesbeforetheirmarriagecontainedtheusualprettyeffusionsofwomenatsuchaperiodoftheirexistence。Somelittletimeafterhehadmadeherhiswife，andwhenhehadcometoKnapwater，theseriesbeganagain，andnowtheircontentsarrestedherattentionmoreforcibly。Sheclosedthecabinet，carriedthelettersintotheparlour，reclinedherselfonthesofa，andcarefullyperusedthemintheorderoftheirdates。
\'JOHNSTREET，October17，1864。
\'MYDEARESTHUSBAND，——Ireceivedyourhurriedlineofyesterday，andwasofcoursecontentwithit。Butwhydon\'tyoutellmeyourexactaddressinsteadofthat“Post-Office，Budmouth？”Thismatterisallamysterytome，andIoughttobetoldeverydetail。Icannotfancyitisthesamekindofoccupationyouhavebeenusedtohitherto。YourcommandthatIamtostayhereawhileuntilyoucan“seehowthingslook“andcanarrangetosendforme，Imustnecessarilyabideby。Butif，asyousay，amarriedmanwouldhavebeenrejectedbythepersonwhoengagedyou，andthathencemyexistencemustbekeptasecretuntilyouhavesecuredyourposition，whydidyouthinkofgoingatall？
\'Thetruthis，thiskeepingourmarriageasecretistroublesome，vexing，andwearisometome。Iseethepoorestwomaninthestreetbearingherhusband\'snameopenly——livingwithhiminthemostmatter-of-factease，andwhyshouldn\'tI？IwishIwasbackagaininLiverpool。
\'To-dayIboughtagreywaterproofcloak。Ithinkitisalittletoolongforme，butitwascheapforoneofsuchaquality。Theweatherisgustyanddreary，andtillthismorningIhadhardlysetfootoutsidethedoorsinceyouleft。PleasedotellmewhenIamtocome——Veryaffectionatelyyours，EUNICE。\'
\'JOHNSTREET，October25，1864。
\'MYDEARHUSBAND，——Whydon\'tyouwrite？Doyouhateme？Ihavenothadthehearttodoanythingthislastweek。ThatI，yourwife，shouldbeinthisstrait，andmyhusbandwelltodo！Ihavebeenobligedtoleavemyfirstlodgingfordebt——amongotherthings，theychargedmeforalotofbrandywhichIamquitesureIdidnottaste。ThenIwenttoCamberwellandwasfoundoutbythem。Iwentawayprivatelyfromthence，andchangedmynamethesecondtime。I
amnowMrs。Rondley。ButthenewlodgingwasthewretchedestanddearestIeversetfootin，andIleftitafterbeingthereonlyaday。IamnowatNo。2Ointhesamestreetthatyouleftmeinoriginally。AlllastnightthesashofmywindowrattledsodreadfullythatIcouldnotsleep，butIhadnotenergyenoughtogetoutofbedtostopit。ThismorningIhavebeenwalking——I
don\'tknowhowfar——butfarenoughtomakemyfeetache。Ihavebeenlookingattheoutsideoftwoorthreeofthetheatres，buttheyseemforbiddingifIregardthemwiththeeyeofanactressinsearchofanengagement。ThoughyousaidIwastothinknomoreofthestage，Ibelieveyouwouldnotcareifyoufoundmethere。ButIamnotanactressbynature，andartwillnevermakemeone。Iamtootimidandretiring；Iwasintendedforacottager\'swife。I
certainlyshallnottrytogoontheboardsagainwhilstIaminthisstrangeplace。TheideaofbeingbroughtonasfarasLondonandthenleftherealone！Whydidn\'tyouleavemeinLiverpool？
PerhapsyouthoughtImighthavetoldsomebodythatmyrealnamewasMrs。Manston。AsifIhadalivingfriendtowhomIcouldimpartit——nosuchgoodfortune！Infact，mynearestfriendisnonearerthanwhatmostpeoplewouldcallastranger。ButperhapsIoughttotellyouthataweekbeforeIwrotemylastlettertoyou，afterwishingthatmyuncleandauntinPhiladelphia(theonlynearrelativesIhad)werestillalive，IsuddenlyresolvedtosendalinetomycousinJames，who，Ibelieve，isstilllivinginthatneighbourhood。Hehasneverseenmesincewewerebabiestogether。
Ididnottellhimofmymarriage，becauseIthoughtyoumightnotlikeit，andIgavemyrealmaidenname，andanaddressatthepost-
officehere。ButGodknowsiftheletterwilleverreachhim。
\'Dowritemeananswer，andsendsomething——Youraffectionatewife，EUNICE。\'
\'FRIDAY，October28。
\'MYDEARHUSBAND，——Theorderfortenpoundshasjustcome，andIamtrulygladtogetit。Butwhywillyouwritesobitterly？Ah——
well，ifIhadonlyhadthemoneyIshouldhavebeenonmywaytoAmericabythistime，sodon\'tthinkIwanttoboreyouofmyownfree-will。Whocanyouhavemetwithatthatnewplace？RememberI
saythisinnomalignanttone，butcertainlythefactsgotoprovethatyouhavedesertedme！Youareinconstant——Iknowit。O，whyareyouso？NowIhavelostyou，Iloveyouinspiteofyourneglect。Iamweaklyfond——that\'smynature。Ifearthatuponthewholemylifehasbeenwasted。Iknowthereisanotherwomansupplantingmeinyourheart——yes，Iknowit。Cometome——docome。
EUNICE。\'
\'41CHARLESSQUARE，HOXTON，November19。
\'DEARAENEAS，——HereIambackagainaftermyvisit。Whyshouldyouhavebeensoenragedatmyfindingyourexactaddress？Anywomanwouldhavetriedtodoit——youknowshewouldhave。AndnowomanwouldhavelivedunderassumednamessolongasIdid。IrepeatthatIdidnotcallmyselfMrs。ManstonuntilIcametothislodgingatthebeginningofthismonth——whatcouldyouexpect？
\'AhelplesscreatureI，hadnotfortunefavouredmeunexpectedly。
BanishedasIwasfromyourhouseatdawn，Ididnotsupposetheindignitywasabouttoleadtoimportantresults。ButincrossingtheparkIoverheardtheconversationofayoungmanandwomanwhohadalsorisenearly。Ibelievehertobethegirlwhohaswonyouawayfromme。Well，theirconversationconcernedyouandMissAldclyffe，VERYPECULIARLY。Theremarkablethingisthatyouyourself，withoutknowingit，toldmeofwhat，addedtotheirconversation，completelyrevealsasecrettomethatneitherofyouunderstand。Twonegativesnevermadesuchatellingpositivebefore。Onecluemore，andyouwouldseeit。Asingleconsiderationpreventsmyrevealingit——justonedoubtastowhetheryourignorancewasreal，andwasnotfeignedtodeceiveme。
Civilitynow，please。
EUNICE。\'
\'41CHARLESSQUARE，Tuesday，November22。
\'MYDARLINGHUSBAND，——Mondaywillsuitmeexcellentlyforcoming。I
haveactedexactlyuptoyourinstructions，andhavesoldmyrubbishatthebroker\'sinthenextstreet。AllthismovementandbustleisdelightfultomeaftertheweeksofmonotonyIhaveendured。Itisarelieftowishtheplacegood-bye——LondonalwayshasseemedsomuchmoreforeigntomethanLiverpoolThemid-daytrainonMondaywilldonicelyforme。IshallbeanxiouslylookingoutforyouonSundaynight。
\'IhopesomuchthatyouarenotangrywithmeforwritingtoMissAldclyffe。Youarenot，dear，areyou？Forgiveme——Yourlovingwife，EUNICE。\'
Thiswasthelastofthelettersfromthewifetothehusband。Oneother，inMrs。Manston\'shandwriting，andinthesamepacket，wasdifferentlyaddressed。
\'THREETRANTERSINN，CARRIFORD，November28，1864。
\'DEARCOUSINJAMES，——Thankyouindeedforansweringmylettersopromptly。WhenIcalledatthepost-officeyesterdayIdidnotintheleastthinktherewouldbeone。ButImustleavethissubject。
Iwriteagainatonceunderthestrangestandsaddestconditionsitispossibletoconceive。
\'IdidnottellyouinmylastthatIwasamarriedwoman。Don\'tblameme——itwasmyhusband\'sinfluence。Ihardlyknowwheretobeginmystory。Ihadbeenlivingapartfromhimforatime——thenhesentforme(thiswaslastweek)andIwasgladtogotohim。
Thenthisiswhathedid。Hepromisedtofetchme，anddidnot——
leavingmetodothejourneyalone。Hepromisedtomeetmeatthestationhere——hedidnot。Iwentonthroughthedarknesstohishouse，andfoundhisdoorlockedandhimselfawayfromhome。Ihavebeenobligedtocomehere，andIwritetoyouinastrangeroominastrangevillageinn！Ichoosethepresentmomenttowritetodriveawaymymisery。Sorrowseemsasortofpleasurewhenyoudetailitonpaper——poorpleasurethough。
\'ButthisiswhatIwanttoknow——andIamashamedtotellit。I
wouldgladlydoasyousay，andcometoyouasahousekeeper，butI
havenotthemoneyevenforasteeragepassage。James，doyouwantmebadlyenough——doyoupitymeenoughtosendit？IcouldmanagetosubsistinLondonupontheproceedsofmysaleforanothermonthorsixweeks。Willyousendittothesameaddressatthepost-
office？ButhowdoIknowthatyou……\'
Thustheletterended。Fromcreasesinthepaperitwasplainthatthewriter，havinggotsofar，hadbecomedissatisfiedwithherproduction，andhadcrumpleditinherhand。Wasittowriteanother，ornottowriteatall？
ThenextthingAnneSeawayperceivedwasthatthefragmentarystoryshehadcoaxedoutofManston，totheeffectthathiswifehadleftEnglandforAmerica，mightbetruthful，accordingtotwooftheseletters，corroboratedbytheevidenceoftherailway-porter。Andyet，atfirst，hehadsworninapassionthathiswifewasmostcertainlyconsumedinthefire。
Ifshehadbeenburnt，thisletter，writteninherbedroom，andprobablythrustintoherpocketwhensherelinquishedit，wouldhavebeenburntwithher。Nothingwassurerthanthat。Why，then，didhesayshewasburnt，andnevershowAnneherselfthisletter？
Thequestionsuddenlyraisedanewandmuchstrangerone——kindlingaburstofamazementinher。HowdidManstonbecomepossessedofthisletter？
Thatfactofpossessionwascertainlythemostremarkablerevelationofallinconnectionwiththisepistle，andperhapshadsomethingtodowithhisreasonfornevershowingittoher。
Sheknewbyseveralproofs，thatbeforehismarriagewithCytherea，anduptothetimeoftheporter\'sconfession，Manstonbelieved——
honestlybelieved——thatCythereawouldbehislawfulwife，andhence，ofcourse，thathiswifeEunicewasdead。Sothatnocommunicationcouldpossiblyhavepassedbetweenhiswifeandhimselffromthefirstmomentthathebelievedherdeadonthenightofthefire，tothedayofhiswedding。Andyethehadthatletter。
Howsoonafterwardscouldtheyhavecommunicatedwitheachother？
Theexistenceoftheletter——asmuchas，ormorethanitscontents——
implyingthatMrsManstonwasnotburnt，hisbeliefinthatcalamitymusthaveterminatedatthemomentheobtainedpossessionoftheletter，ifnoearlier。Was，then，theonlysolutiontotheriddlethatAnnecoulddiscern，thetrueone？——thathehadcommunicatedwithhiswifesomewhereaboutthecommencementofAnne\'sresidencewithhim，oratanytimesince？
